Is this the future of Hawaii travel? Back in the news again today.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
2,829 thoughts on “Hotels Require Hawaii Vaccination Passports + New Maui COVID Rules Detailed”
Comments are closed.
Is this the future of Hawaii travel? Back in the news again today.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
So now the “experts” at the CDC, (Can’t Determine Crap) finally admit that the rush to market and vaccinate people is good for only 3 months! Congratulations to everyone that got in line and fell for this! So now you have to get in line every 3 months? Yeah, good luck with that happening.
What happens if you meet the criteria but it’s been over 3 months since you got the vaccine? It still doesn’t appear that we Govenor has any clue what his own guidelines are. To expect one to travel there and meet all 3 guidelines is beyond crazy. As much as I want to go in June since my sister is moving to Maui and I’ve never been to the island, my vaccine will have already expired by his guidelines. I understand wanting to err on the side of caution but can’t he see he’s crippling his states own economy? Why should he worry about them, he still gets paid regardless. Such a shame.
Thank-you for your updates on the vaccine “passport”. I know nothing is yet set in stone but I don’t understand the 3 month travel period (only) once vaccinated. Why not just open travel.
Please explain.
Hi Sharon.
Everything we know is contained in the post. That is the current non travel-specific guidance from the CDC as well as the Hawaii Safe Travel exemption basis (https://ag.hawaii.gov/travelexemption/).
Aloha.
Unfortunately having the covid vaccine requirement will not help the ones like my husband who can not have it. I have had my vaccine, but it isn’t going to help me get back to Hawaii if my husband still has to jump through hoops, and within 3 mos of getting vaccinated, yikes! Hopefully like all other coronavirus’ this too will be just another virus like influenza or the common cold. Crossing my fingers, I really want to go back to Hawaii and see it thrive once again. Good luck to the people of Hawaii during these extreme times. Thank you Beat of Hawaii for keeping us informed. Aloha, Jenni
Hi Jenni.
Thanks for your first comment. Yes, it is still complicated and for most of us, confusing too.
Aloha.
This is totally depressing! We just received our second dose on February 15. I have no idea if either of our doses has been reported to a verification company. Even though we had appointments, our names didn’t appear on the volunteer’s list. We do have our vaccination cards showing the dates, lot numbers, etc. of the vaccinations. Based on what you’ve indicated, our vaccinations will be no good in 3 months (May 15) and our HI trip is planned for June 12-July 1 (Oahu and Kauai). We were never told that the vaccine was only good for 3 months by our county health department. Is the government planning on offering vaccines every 3 months? Please let me know your thoughts and thanks for hosting this platform.
Hi Linda.
The validity of vaccination for travel is anyone’s guess right now. That was CDC guidance last week, and it was for exposure to COVID, not specifically related to travel at all. But that, together with the current state of Hawaii exemption from testing for those who have had COVID and recovered in the past 90 days, certainly gives an indication. Whatever decision is made will be based on national guidance for sure.
Aloha.
Totally news to us about the three months!!! No where else is this mentioned???
Everything I have read, even from the CDC, mentions a best guess of the shot working for 3 months. After that they just dont know because they dont have the data yet, and the drug trials were done only in a short period of time, not the usual 5-10 years that would give you a much better idea. If you’re like us where I’m 67 and my husband is 57,only way the 3 month window would work is if I push off my shot until he can get his at the same time. Between the still limited supply and Californias disorganized distribution I dont see us making it to HI any time soon.🏝
BOH, so if you’re already vaccinated and traveling this coming summer you still need to test 3 days prior on your own dime? Also, vaccines are not before 2 weeks of arrival or longer than 3 months prior? For non-vaccinated travelers, please confirm the current 3 days prior negative test will suffice? Lastly, since kids under 18 are not given vaccine, the negative testing option has to be valid still correct?
Hi Matt.
So need to wait for confirmation from the Governor but those appear to be correct from what we know so far.
Aloha.
I think this is an absolutely horrid idea! There are those of us who can not be vaccinated for medical reasons, and some who are 100% against vaccinations of any kind, especially those that are still in the experimental stage. PLUS, what about children?!? We have a trip planned to Maui in June, with 6 adults and 5 children. There is no way that the children should have to be vaccinated, as they, according to the “science”, are the very least vulnerable to contracting and spreading Covid-19! Will our family NEVER be able to travel to Hawaii again?!?
If you get the first dose of covid19 vaccine February and second dose of covid19 vaccine in march i hope its good past October
Thank you
I’m so confused and not even going to try to figure it all out. Much easier to just cancel this years vacation, however, I really feel for the people of Kauai. I totally understand the need for public health and safety, but I am also a homeowner in a busy summer tourist area on the East Coast. I fear for my property taxes due to a lack of tourism and restrictions in place here…I can only imagine how it is going to be on the islands. Hope everyone stays safe and can’t wait to visit some year!!
So, let me get this straight… I get my shots in June but my travel plans are for my Homeowner’s meeting on Kauai in November(3 months past the shots). I would be subject to the quarantine on Kauai even testing negative…. and having my shots. Too many hoops to jump through with shots and negative testing! I really don’t want to spend a lot of my hard earned money staying on Oahu to kill 3 days then having to test again, after already getting my shots. I am throwing my hands up right now!
This just becomes more bizarre day by day.
They expect people to be vaccinated within 3 months of travel…and if not, another vaccine when 1. There are not enough vaccines to go around as it is, and 2. Many have not received a vaccine as yet because of lack of vaccines. Do they truly know anything concrete about anything that is going on? So very sad!
Sorry….. NO …… In caps. This is what you find in socialist or communist countries, NOT in between states in the USA… at least we are not socialist, yet?!
Not getting my $$.
Am I understanding correctly? CDC has said folks can travel to Hawaii (other places?) without testing or quarantine WITHIN the 3 months after their LAST dose of vaccine? I read nearly every CDC thing that’s published and I’ve not seen this information. It’s possible I missed it? My last dose was 2/1/21 which then means I’d need to complete a trip to Maui, specifically, by 5/1? What will be the plan for me, fully vaccinated, asymptomatic, if I travel after 5/1/21?
Thank you.
So the hubby has his vaccine, but I won’t be eligible for several months. Based on the proposal, his vaccine will no longer be valid for travel once I have mine. I am totally confused.
Question on number 1 regarding essential workers – I am assuming the essential workers are people living in Hawaii only, not essential workers from the mainland?
In other words, my husband and I are doctors but we live in the mainland, we fall under category 3 where vaccinated people will not be allowed until May, correct?
Thanks for any help clarifying.
Hi Cynthia.
We don’t know how that will be defined for vaccination-based travel. Here’s the document for the current testing exemption. https://ag.hawaii.gov/travelexemption/
Aloha.
Thank you for your semi-encouraging update. I’m happy to hear that vaccinated travelers may have a chance to (re)visit the great state of Hawaii. Because I, like many others, am suffering withdrawal from our visits to our favorite islands, hearing that vaccination may reopen the doors once again is great. It’s still confusing to hear that the CDC is only giving the vaccines 3 months of efficacy. I just started my round of the Maderna vaccine and was hoping to return to Kauai for the 43rd time this Summer. It looks like that may not happen unless the CDC shows more faith in the current vaccines. I look forward to more encouraging updates.
Hi John.
We feel the same way, and hope that guidance can soon be extended. If we have to pack a lifetime of travel into 90 days it isn’t really feasible.
Aloha.
So if you have been vaccinated four months before traveling to Hawaii, it would not be acceptable for travel. So what is the option then.
You do realize that the actual manufacturers of these ‘vaccines’ – both Pfeizer and Moderna – literally say their jabs only ‘reduce symptoms’ and have no proof what so ever of preventing you from getting covid OR from spreading it??? Just making sure you know this. This is not my opinion – read the actual inserts. And legally they are not vaccines (by legal definition) – they are actually ‘gene therapy’. Check out their own websites and see for yourself. And not sure if you are aware that over 600 people have died so far with thousands injured… check out the VAERS website for info. I beg you to do your own homework.
WPC…THANK YOU for saying that!!!
The way I read it, its more complications. Like for us who have pushed our travel 3times, now planned for August. My husband is essential and got his last vaccine this month. So if I’m reading this correctly, his vaccine is no longer applicable by August? I get CDC can’t give a longer vaccinated timeline since this is so new but there’s no way he’s going to be able to, or even should, get vaccinated AGAIN by august. So vaccines, which are difficult to get, have to be timed to be between a 2week – 3month timeline, just to be able to travel without quarrantine restrictions? Maybe I’m reading it wrong. But if I’m not, alot of people are going to be confused that their vaccines are only good for a short time frame, like people were confused about how long they needed a negative test for.
So, if being vaccinated in February and traveling in July, no passport will be issued?
Thank you
Lisa E.
Hi Lisa.
We published what we know for now. Both the current Safe Travel exemption for those who have had COVID and the CDC guidance on Vaccine validity are both at 90 days. More information will be forthcoming for sure.
Aloha.
Why 3 month max from last shot? I’ve only read and heard about the possibility of an annual booster.
I hope it will change we have reservations for august but will have both vaccination by next week. Guess we may have to get vaccinated again. So be it assuming it is even allowed.
Mahalo for your excellent coverage of this debacle. Today’s update regarding the proposed vaccination passport isn’t clear on one aspect – would vaccination within the specified time period be the ONLY way to travel or just an alternative to the current testing requirements? (I realize it may not be clear because the announcement may not have been clear or was silent on that point, but maybe you have special insight!) In other words, for those of us who have no plans to vaccinate, can we still just get a negative test or would that option be eliminated?
Hi Holly.
Thanks for asking. The lieutenant governor has said that it will always be just an alternative and that vaccination will never be a requirement.
Aloha.
1) If not vaccinated, as long as someone tests negative, they can still go to Hawaii, correct?
2) Didn’t the CDC come out saying the PCR test is no guarantee of a negative result? Or rather, it was running false-positives when it was actually negative?
3) Doesn’t the digital upload of someone’s medical information (test results or vaccine records) violate HIPAA privacy policy?
4) Since vaccination doesn’t mean someone won’t get Covid, or spread it, how can this be beneficial towards locals since its an unknown factor? No one has ever mandated/”suggested” the flu vaccine in order to travel during horrible flu pandemics, why now?
Thanks!
Hi Heather.
Vaccination will just be an alternative to testing or quarantine. Not a requirement.
Aloha.
How will the vaccine passport affect the current pre-travel testing program?
I had both Covid 19 vaccination shots in January. Does this new information mean that since I am travelling to Maui in May that I’ll need to get another shot?
Mahalo for the information.
Could you please let me know what happens to those who had vaccines over 3 months ago. My wife and I were part of the Pfizer study, but our last shots were in September. We are still testing positive for antibodies nearly 6 months out. Will we be allowed to travel in late April when we have reservations? Can we still test negative 72 hours prior to travel and be exempt from quarantine? Any advice or insight you have would be appreciated. We had hoped by scheduling so far out, things would be clearer by then.
Mahalo-
Ed K
Hi Ed.
We don’t know yet what the state will decide about the duration of vaccination for avoidance of other travel rules.
Aloha.
So, if we have reservations to Kauai for April 6th, and have both been fully vaccinated more than two weeks ahead, we will still have to spend three days on another island or quarantine on Kauai? And have negative tests before coming?
ARGH…still so frustrating to plan a vacation. We’ll be getting vaccines at the end of May and, even with two weeks after the second vaccine, that’ll mean that we’re longer than three months out from the vaccine for our October visit so it’s back to COVID testing.
For those of us who don’t live closer than three hours to an airport, all of the airport testing (with flight confirmations) don’t do a thing to help. We still have to do the 72 hours ahead thing (and in rural areas, that’s a hard thing to find without going through Vault, and crossing our fingers) *and* since our trip involves one island for four days, another for two and back to the first for 10 days–that’s three COVID tests each, two of them smack dab in the middle of the time we’re supposedly “vacationing” on a remote area of the Big Island that doesn’t even have electricity or potable water.
I’m gonna cross my fingers that the “science” tells Gov. Ige that vaccines are good for longer than three months….
Hi Tonya.
We hope so too!
Aloha.
What if you don’t get vaccinated? Any options ie negative test etc
I think what would be most helpful to those wishing or needing (like me who has an elderly parent there) to fly to Hawaii would be an easing of the 72 hr COVID test to 90 hrs prior. I’m booked to travel to HNL in early March and my test turn around wil be extremely TIGHT.
Since the population of Hawaii is, I believe, 1.3 million, and we should have close to that many doses and people vaccinated by summer, we won’t have to worry about kama’aina getting infected, but since tourism is our #1 industry we might want to be careful about losing tourists if we get a reputation for non-vaccinated visitors spreading it to others.
Also since you cannot travel while COVID positive, arrangements still have to be made for tourists who cannot go home after testing positive while here in Hawaii.
Please provide travel steps to Honolulu for those of us with vaccination completed.
1. Both shots completed 14 days ago
2. Make reservations for your airline.
3.Have proof of vaccination card.
4.??
5. I hear some airlines provide tests when boarding. (Alaska)
6. I always travel Hawaiian from Seattle. What will they require.
Please, not paragraph style, but step by step instead!
Thank you!
Hi Marilyn.
At this time, having been vaccinated does not change the process in any way. Also, no airlines provide tests themselves and there are no testing options when boarding.
Thanks.
Jeff
Marilyn,
You will need to do the Covid test and if you use Alaska do it through their partner Carbon Health. Alaska has a pre-clearance program (at least in San Jose). You get your test and you get the results within 24 hours. Upload the PDF to the safe travels website. Once you check your luggage in San Jose at least, we were pre-cleared by Alaska and they give you a wristband so you don’t have to wait in line at the airport in Maui. It was very easy compared to a few months back when we went. Good luck.
I may fly Alaska then. I much prefer Hawaiian (less bounce!). But it sounds like AK has a better system in place. Thanks for the info!
agreed my daughter , vet tech in Maui got her test results back from Kaiser Portland OR , During holidays in 24 ours uploaded and also received wrist band at check in from Alaska thumbs up
I watched a brief clip this morning on Hawaii news reporting that Hawaii MAY allow those who are covid vaccinated and then waiting after 2 weeks of the vaccine to visit without tests or quarantine.
Target date from mainland is May. I hope that it is that simple. If so, I’ll be back soon.
I hope that it gets approved
Oy! I’m getting a headache trying to keep up with all these changes. Lucky for us, we aren’t scheduled to fly into Maui from NJ until April 22!! We will have both vaccines by then (with a 2-week gap after the 2nd vaccine) but our concern is what the H-E-double hockey sticks is going on in California?? If we cannot fly into the Bay area without a forced quarantine, it won’t matter what the Hawaii rules become. Not every tourist flying into Hawaii is originating from the Golden State (more like the Tarnished State, lately). Mahalo for keeping us updated!
Hi Steven.
Thanks. We hope it goes well for your April trip to Maui!
Aloha.
Please actually research the “science”. These restrictions are punitive and will most likely divide families residing on the mainland who won’t be able to travel to Hawaii, and most certainly continue to damage the #1 industry of Hawaii: Tourism! We won’t be spending our money in Hawaii!!!
Whith having both covid 19 shyots. Whith still having to wear masks, I do not see why GOv Ing
wont let those who have the shots enter Hawaii. Is this not the same as those tested and are
negative? The Gov is too critical. Thanks
Easy answer. The man is like a “deer in the headlights” has no idea of what he is doing. Sorry, he is incompetent. The number 2 guy a medical Dr has recommended opening up to vaccinated people but this fool keeps going down the wrong road. Feel sorry for the good people of Hawaii
So this is saying, if you dont get vaccinated you will no longer be able to visit Hawaii? Is that correct? I hope that is not true. My family goes to Hawaii all the time but we are not going to get the vaccine. I have heard to much controversy for my family to go to that extent. I also heard of people getting both doses and still getting covid. Another reason this is dumb for Hawaii to do. When does this go into effect?
I don’t understand the number 2 criteria for bypass travel. what does the three month window mean. I just had my second vires shot. does this mean I only have three months I can travel.
This “passport card” idea. It will be soooooo easy to counterfeit. I have seen this coming.
Bad idea
Have been coming to Hawaii for over 40 years. But, if a vaccine is required.. sorry.. won’t be back
Totally bad idea. We live in Hawaii and haven’t been back to the mainland since this whole thing started
The reality is if you are vaccinated that should open the gates (in the near future once herd immunity is reached) to hassle free Hawaii travel. No Covd-19 tests, no quarantine, no other entry barrier if vaccinated with an app. If Hawaii does not get on board with a simple, streamlined way to re-start their economy while allowing proven protection than what is the point? The reality is the virus will be around for years in some form or another so we need to live with it while allowing vaccinations to help us return to some sense of normality. Yes, I know this creates civil liberty & other “fairness” issues but realistically I sadly do not see a return to pre-March 2020 normality…Aloha…
ah yes, that whole super pesky ‘civil liberty’ issue….
When we give up medical freedom and sovereignty over our own bodies – well we are no longer living in a free society. I would never get this experimental vaccine (and this jab does not stop you from ‘getting’ covid or ‘spreading’ covid – it reduces your ‘symptoms’) = fact. I will get sunlight, eat good food, drink clean water, move, and take care of my body and trust the 99.999 % chance it can handle this and every other virus we are exposed to with every single breath we take every day of our lives (not to mention ivermectin works incredibly well and I keep some on hand along with other wellness products). Did you know viruses have been here long before humans were – and without them – we would note be here? We can never ever in a million years win any ‘war’ on viruses or germs.. it does not work that way. I am fine not going to Hawaii again, as I will go where those pesky ‘civil liberties’ are fully honored and spend my travel dollars there. And if you think your vaccine works – why do you care what I do? People might want to read up on Pasteur (germ theory) vs. Bechamp (terrain theory) and come to your own conclusions after diving into that topic. Check out the World Doctors Alliance and World Freedom Alliance for access to uncensored information.
Guys;
Best news yet on this front.
Not sure of your policy re: posting URLs but I found this explaining IATA’s approach to a travel passport: I
iata.org/contentassets/2b02a4f452384b1fbae0a4c40e8a5d0c/travel-pass-faqs.pdf
Please pass this along if appropriate.
It does a good job of explaining “what” their travel pass is and how it works. No detail on how an individual proves their vaccination status or how this information gets integrated into their app.
Anybody have any ideas on this?